August 13, 2026

I am so excited to be learning with your child this year as their 5th grade teacher. It’s going to be an AWESOME year! There are so many exciting things that go on in our room daily. One special addition that joined us two years ago is our class pet, Sunny. Your student will have to opportunity to help care for him (if they want to) throughout the year. Sunny Caretaker is usually the most sought after job. Students get a BIG say with how they want the classroom to run. Every Monday, we discuss how things are going and if any changes need to occur. Students can present and defend arguments while respectfully discussing pros and cons. They get a "5th grade" taste of government as most topics end in a vote. This was how Sunny came to be part of our classroom. Most 5th graders can't wait for Monday Meeting as this is a fun way to tie in 5th grade standards in a real world scenario.

I love teaching 5th grade! It is by far my favorite! I have been teaching for 23 years, and I have taught all grades from K-8. Most of that time, I had the privilege of working with grades 4, 5, and 6. I love to see how much they grow over the year. They become more responsible, more independent, and more concerned with the world around them.

I am originally from Pennsylvania where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Edinboro University. I became a Reading Specialist and earned my Master’s Degree in Reading from Northern Michigan University after moving to Michigan.

My husband and I started out in Pennsylvania, moved to South Carolina and then Michigan where we have built our lives and remained for the past 20 years. We have twins who recently turned 21! Our daughter will graduate from CMU in December. She is then on to PA school. Our son works for a concrete company and loves every minute!

We like to spend a lot of time out doors! We love to hike, fish, and compete in 3D archery competition. (Only against each other for now.) We spend a lot of time at our cottage in the summer.

We have a giant German Shepherd fur baby named Nico. He just turned 9 and keeps us busy. Please check out my website to learn more about me and what 5th grade looks like in my room.

Email is the best way to contact me. I will respond within 24 hours. I usually send out a weekly email on Monday. That will come through Bright Arrow. I also start a class Facebook page that I will make private once everyone has a chance to join. I will post pictures of the exciting things we do so parents can have a glimpse into the classroom. (These can also help you guide discussions with your student.) Our classroom website is a great place to stay informed. Expectations, schedule, homework, newsletters and more can be found there.

To help me get to know you and your student better before the first day, please fill out the parent survey that is linked below.

Classroom expectations and rules are designed so that all students have a safe and comfortable learning environment. I expect my students to take responsibility for their actions and understand that following the rules is essential for creating an exciting and engaging learning environment in our classroom. To familiarize you with our class and school expectations, I have listed some of the students' responsibilities below. At Page, students are expected to be SAFE, RESPECTFUL, and RESPONSIBLE at all times.

*FIFTH GRADE EXPECTATIONS *

In OUR CLASS, you are expected to be:

* Polite * Respectful

* Prepared * Responsible

* Quiet * Truthful

* Cooperative * Helpful

* Courteous * Honest

* Friendly * Kind

In the BUILDING, you are expected to:

* Follow directions the first time given

* Use indoor, quiet voices at all times

* Be in appropriate areas at all times

* Be considerate of the safety of self and others

On the PLAYGROUND, you are expected to:

* Respect yourself, others, and school property

* Follow directions the first time given

* Use playground equipment properly

* Let others have a turn and include everyone

* Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself

In the CAFETERIA, you are expected to:

* Respect yourself, others, and school property

* Follow directions

* Use appropriate language and inside voices

* Clean your eating area when finished

Throughout the year, students will work on building their self-discipline, Grit, Perseverance, and Integrity. At the beginning of the year, students will earn “tickets” for displaying these Super Student qualities. These tickets will make them eligible to participate in a “Let’s Make a Deal” type drawing at the end of the week. Second semester students will learn the value of teamwork. They will work on leadership skills in PODS that will teach them valuable life skills.

To help students develop these skills, they will be made aware when they are breaking a rule in the form of a tally. Tally’s will be recorded on the Super Student sheet that comes home every Friday. The students and I will decide on appropriate consequences together during the first week of school. I want them to be a large part of designing a classroom experience where they have a voice.

Students will also bring their papers from the week and other important information from the office home in their Orange Super Student Folder. Missing assignments will also be recorded here. This is a vital communication tool I use in the classroom. Please take the opportunity every weekend to review their folder and papers. Talk through what went well and goals for improvement. This system helps students develop responsibility, pride in their work, and independence. All of these skills are essential for future success.

Please check out the website for more information. And as always, email me with any questions now or in the future.

I have noticed that fidgets and other toys are becoming increasingly popular. I understand that students love playing with fidgets, squishies, and more. However, more often than not, fidgets can be more distracting in the classroom than helpful. Please keep all fidgets, squishies, and similar items at home. Fidgets are used as a tool in an educational setting and I have many quiet, non-distracting types for students to use.

If your child has an educational plan that specifies the use of a fidget, please reach out to me before sending in a fidget. As a school system, we will collaborate and discuss which fidget would be best suited for your child within our school guidelines. If you believe your child would benefit from a fidget, please reach out tome and/or counselor before you send one into school.

I want to protect your child's learning environment to ensure its stability the best I can. I also understand that fidgets have been bought, and then tend to be taken, traded, or lost. To avoid any of the issues, please keep them at home and out of the backpack, even just for bus use. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out; I am happy to assist in any way I can.

• 5 pocket folders (plastic hold up better)

• 1 Yellow

• 1 Orange

• 3 color/style of your choice

• 2 one-subject spiral notebook

• 1 Composition notebook

• 1 pencil bin/supply container

• Scissors

• Ruler (marked with inches and centimeters)

• 1 set of coloring utensils (thin markers or colored pencils)

• Highlighter

• 3 sharpies

• Scotch tape

• Pencils and erasers

• Glue or glue stick

• 2 packs of expo markers (one for your student/one for the class)

• 1 orphaned sock to be used as a whiteboard eraser

• 1 pack of 3x3 post-it notes

• Personal set of headphones to be kept at school

(Please NO Trapper Keepers – they do not fit in our desks and we end up tripping over them!)

For the classroom

• PE Shoes that stay at school

• 1 box Kleenex

• 1 Clorox wipes

• Post-its

• Dry Erase Markers

• Masking tape (1)

• Bags of candy for rewards/treats (hard candy, suckers, mini candy bars, etc.)

• Bags/Boxes of cereal